Heather Brae Supported Living Network

Updated 28 March 2019

The inspection:

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

Service and service type:

Heather Brae is a supported living service that provides personal care to people with a learning disability in their own homes.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection:

The inspection was unannounced on the first day and announced on the second day.

What we did:

Our planning considered all the information we held about the service. This information included notifications the provider had sent us, to notify us about incidents such as safeguarding concerns, complaints and accidents. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. We also contacted the commissions of the service to gain their views.

The provider had completed a provider information return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and any improvements they plan to make. This information formed part of our inspection planning document.

During the inspection, we spoke with five people who were supported by the service and two people’s relatives. We spoke with the operations manager, registered manager and three members of staff.

We looked at three care plan files and a selection of medication administration records (MARs). We looked at other records that related to the monitoring of the service, five staff recruitment records, training records for all staff, staff meeting minutes, tenants meeting minutes and accident and incident records.

After the inspection the provider sent us some additional information about staff training, up-to-date policies and procedures and additional evidence for consideration as part of the inspection.

Updated 28 March 2019

About the service:

Heather Brae Supported Living service provides support to adults living with learning disabilities and complex health needs. At the time of the inspection the service was supporting 18 people within their own tenancies. The service is located within a residential area of Congleton and is made up of 5 mews houses which are all adjoining. Each house can accommodate four people. CQC does not regulate the premises used for supported living; this inspection only looked at people's personal care and support.

People’s experience of using this service:

The management team ensured that they worked in line with 'Registering the Right Support' and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion to ensure that people with learning disabilities or autism can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

People received safe and effective care from staff that were kind, caring and compassionate. People's needs had been fully assessed prior to them being supported by the service. Care plans were person centred and were regularly reviewed to ensure the most up-to-date information and guidance was available for staff. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of people's individual needs and had developed positive relationships with them.

Safe recruitment practices were in place and people were supported by staff that had undertaken an induction and training for their roles. Sufficient staff were employed to meet the needs of the people supported. Staff were supported through supervision and team meetings.

Risks to people had been clearly identified and guidance was in place to ensure that staff could minimise these risks. People were protected from the risk of harm and abuse. Staff had all undertaken safeguarding training and felt confident to report any concerns they had. Medication was managed in accordance with best practice guidelines by trained and competent staff. Medication administration records (MARs) were fully completed and audits regularly undertaken.

People participated in activities of their choice. People spoke positively about the activities they participated in. People were supported to maintain contact with friends and relatives. People's independence was promoted and their privacy and dignity was respected. People and their relatives spoke positively about the staff team. We saw that people's views were regularly sought regarding their care, activities and meals.

A complaint policy and procedure was in place for people and their relatives to follow. Complaints were fully investigated and responded to in accordance with the policy.

The registered provider complied with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. Staff understood and respected people's right to make their own decisions where possible, and encourage people to make decisions about the care they received. Mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions were completed in line with the MCA.

Rating at last inspection:

Good (Report published August 2016).

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the rating of the last inspection.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor all intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.